Can a vertebroplasty help in lifting the collapsed vertebrae?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 65-year-old grandmother has had migraines for the past three years and is on medications. She is admitted to the hospital, and the doctor advises her to perform a procedure where calcium will be inserted via the spinal cord. Can this treatment be performed on a 65-year-old person? Kindly explain this procedure and its associated risks.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. In an osteoporotic spine fracture, the backbone is weak, and it becomes difficult to bear the body weight causing severe back pain. In such cases, vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty procedures are performed in which the bone is refilled with bone cement (artificial calcium) with injections surgically. This helps to lift the collapsed vertebra and to gain more strength in the backbone region. It can be performed on a 65-year-old person. I hope this helps you.

Thank you.